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“Not at all,” he countered promptly. “I’m ashamed to admit that it was actually curiosity that was consuming me. I couldn’t sit in my library wondering if you had figured it out already.”
“Well, it took us a while to find a map we were comfortable with and one we were certain would have all the appropriate places shown on it. And,” she added with emphasis, “had a scale that seemed reliably accurate.” Despite her obvious discomfort with him, she suddenly turned teasing. “I cannot say that I find your map collection complete, Your Grace. Some of them struck me as being merely for show, not reliable in the least. And while I’m sure your lands are extensive, a couple of the maps struck me as having been drawn by someone wishing to flatter rather than one striving for accuracy.”
Gilbert threw back his head and laughed heartily. She wasn’t wrong, and he was impressed with her ability to detect the inaccuracies.
“What gave it away?”
“Well, you will recall that I did travel here recently, so I’m fairly certain of the proportions involved in some of the distances in the area.”
“I’m impressed, Miss Jones,” Gil returned. “You would have made an excellent adventurer.”
Inexplicably, his words made her blush all the more. Gilbert wasn’t sure what about it was so very discomfiting, but he thought he ought to leave the girls in peace.
“Well, I will leave you two to your studies. I will expect a full report at luncheon,” he directed as he left the room, feeling Felicity’s startled gaze following him.
Her surprise was reasonable. While they had dinner together nearly every day, they had never shared the less formal luncheon meal. Gil had started to think the young woman was trying to avoid him, and her reaction to his words didn’t belie that suspicion. It would be an interesting afternoon, he thought with a grin as he went to consult with his steward and then on to the mill to see to a few things. Despite his distractions, he did have things he ought to be caring for before reconvening with his daughter and her companion.
It was a challenge for him to concentrate, but he finally got to the bottom of the list of things he needed to discuss with his clerks at the mill. It had been such a relief to find out that the mill overseer had known not to show Miss Jones the office. Gil was certain her active mind would have wondered why there were five desks set up to manage the business affairs of a seemingly small-sized wool operation. No one else needed to know that he managed all of his enterprises through those clerks.
It was a disappointment to learn that one of their ships had sustained heavy damage in a storm off the coast of the island they had been heading toward. That would delay its return, but the rest of the fleet should be able to manage the surplus supplies. They, too, would be delayed though due to transporting heavier loads and thus more susceptible to any further storms.
The duke’s stomach clenched with the anxiety that having so many lives in his hands always induced. Everyone involved benefited when his businesses thrived. But being the one responsible was a heavy burden he struggled with at times. His shipping industry was one of his most profitable, but it was also the highest risk. He often thought of getting out of it, knowing doing so would alleviate many of his concerns. But the profits were substantial, and he didn’t yet feel secure in the contents of his coffers.
Gilbert shook his head as he rode back toward Rathnelly. He supposed it was a consequence of the insecurities produced by finding out his father and grandfather had brought the estate to the brink of ruin, but he wondered if there were a large enough amount of money he could possess to make him finally feel comfortable or if he would always be hungry for more.
One of his clerks had mentioned some correspondence inquiring into one of his enterprises. Gilbert couldn’t fathom why Lord Sterling would be interested in his horse breeding business. It was considered beneath most gentry. If it were a stud service he was looking for, the inquiry would have been different. However, the clerk had thought Lord Sterling was looking to invest. That was most unprecedented and was another thing for Gil to worry about. He had never considered Sterling to be the meddlesome sort, but the late duchess had trained him well to suspect any noble who showed an interest.
Gilbert pushed the lowering thoughts from his mind and urged his mount into a gallop in an effort to outrun his worries.
The butler informed him when he returned to the house that their luncheon had been spread in the breakfast room. Gil was pleased to see that, as usual, his staff had not let him down. There was a great variety to tempt any appetite. It was a far cry from what they had been able to manage when he had first inherited. He tried not to think of those times but sometimes, it was hard to forget. Strangely, he was often reminded when he was closest to feeling content. All the more reason to banish emotions, he reminded himself fiercely.
Upon his arrival, it was evident the girls had likewise just arrived. They were hovering around the room, examining the dishes and chatting with the footmen.
Gil cleared his throat, bringing all eyes toward him. He hid his grimace. Being a duke held a strange power. Even when he had no money and had nearly lost everything, he had still held power. It was what had saved him. But it also needed to be managed. Because people often resented it, even as they bowed to it. And if anyone ever found out his secrets – he cut off the thought even as he was thinking it. One of the letters sent to his clerks had also been from a London newspaper inquiring about the mill. Gilbert lived in dread of thetonfinding out how very bourgeois he had become. He made sure not to narrow his eyes in suspicion at Miss Jones, but it was a struggle.
“How did you make out with the maps?”
Adelina seemed to be in much better spirits than she had been that morning. The grin she directed at him was filled with the carefree abandon that could only be produced by a happy child.
“It was wonderful, Father. I cannot believe I never knew how to determine such things before this. I will never look at travel the same, that is for certain. Jonesy has promised to show me the world after this. I think perhaps, she and I ought to consider taking the Grand Tour rather than making my debut. Do you think you would allow it?”
Gil hoped his jaw wasn’t hanging open like Felicity’s was. Her face was filled with such an endearing combination of surprise and dread, as though she had never meant to impart such an idea to the child but could only hope that it was actually possible. He would never have thought of such an idea for gently bred women, but he could see why it might appeal to them.
“We’ll have to give it some thought, my dear, but feel free to examine your maps and tell me where you think you’d like to go.”
He made an effort to appear unconcerned even though he wanted to deny her outright. It was a ridiculous idea. But he was well aware of his daughter’s ability to decide that the thing she was denied was the one thing that she must have for her happiness. He also knew the child was well able to change her mind at least thirteen times before she was of age, so he needn’t worry about it overmuch. But perhaps he was going to have to replace her companion, if the woman was going to fill her head with such nonsense. Gilbert hoped his sigh wasn’t audible as he thought about the scene that would cause.
Adelina appeared as though she had been expecting a much bigger reaction from him over her pronouncement, and he hurried to redirect her attention so she wouldn’t vent her disappointment.
“So, when should we be expecting your brothers, my dear? You never did tell me what you discovered.”
Adelina sighed dramatically. “It was just as you said. They will be here in time for dinner but not much sooner. How did you know if you didn’t examine the maps, Father?”
“I have travelled these roads a few times, you must remember.”
“Have you looked at the maps before? Are you able to do the calculations like Jonesy does?”
Gilbert glanced at the companion, noting her heightened colour once more. The woman was so beautiful when she was flustered. He allowed a smile.
